St Johnstone 2 Celtic 5: Moussa Dembele comes off the bench and blasts treble to help save the Hoops’ unbeaten record
Hotshot enhances reputation as Brendan Rodgers' side now move a staggering 27 points clear at the top of the table
MOUSSA DEMBELE climbed off the bench to help save Celtic’s unbeaten domestic record by firing a hat-trick against unlucky St Johnstone.
Liam Henderson gave the Hoops an early lead inside six minutes with a composed finish from the edge of the penalty area.
But a bullet header from Keith Watson but Tommy Wright’s back on level terms.
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Then just minutes from half-time an own goal from Dedryck Boyata gave the Perth side a shock lead.
Brendan Rodgers’ men came out fighting in the second-half, determined to stretch the Scottish champions’ 28 game unbeaten run.
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Dembele then scored with his first touch of the game after Celts won a controversial penalty on the hour mark.
Kieran Tierney’s cross cannoned off Watson’s hip, but ref Craig Thomson ruled the ball struck his hand.
And Dembele made no mistake from the spot to fire the equaliser.
Just 15 minutes later the Frenchman put Celts back in front after tucking an 18-yard effort into the bottom left-hand corner.
Scott Sinclair then got in on the action after latching on to a pass from Patrick Roberts to put the game out of sight.
And super-sub Dembele rounded off the afternoon by firing his third goal of the game from close range to move Celts 27 points clear at the top.
Following the clash, Henderson hailed the striker's impact and claimed his team-mate was worth £100million.
He said: “Moussa is on fire just now, he’s been brilliant this season.
“To come from Fulham for what we paid for him, it’s an absolute bargain.
“The big man’s on fire. Maybe £100milllion!”